Grace Île 25 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company 70cl

Love the depth of flavour in this one. You want the smoke and the sea in a good old Islay malt, but the best whiskies at this level balance that with a lush, ripe fruitiness and that's exactly what this whisky does.

Nothing like your typically bombastic 10 year old Ardbegs or Laphroaigs even though there is more than a touch of the sea and brine in the nose and on the palate. The smoke and peat of its youth have mellowed with the passage of years - restrained, yet still lively and fresh. Would love to know the identity of the mystery distillery.

I had this in a blind taste test of 5 exclusive Whiskies and I found this Whisky to be too powerful for me. It really overwhelmed my nose and mouth, even from sipping it for flavour I found it a bit unrefined and hard hitting.

Perhaps better for fans of very strong Whisky.

Coastal waves, bonfire ashes, a slight touch of tar, spiced spare ribs and smouldering wood, seaweed, top Islay aroma’s be it way more refined compared to younger drams of let’s say 10 to 15 year old. Heathery honey, red apple, vanilla, caramel, a handful of nuts … Peated sweet malts once again, not as dominant or fierce as often but forming a distinct whirling through layer.

Living up to expectations on the palate, more cereals than peat and smoke up front now though, both orchard as well as a slightly exotic fruitiness balance the sweetness. Flings of oak spice, completely incomparable to younger Islay style drams, maturity speaks here, not in tempering the typical flavors but in turning them more sophisticated.

I particularly love the finish: just when you think it gracefully 'faded away' it returns with spiciness lingering on.

If young Islay whisky is ‘good’, this is taking it to a new definition of the word ‘exquisite’. Beautifully balanced, rich variety, deep complexity, there’s no way not loving this if you love Islay whisky …